Week 3 - Web Technology

In this week's lesson we learned about the history of technology. A presentation explained the history of the internet and different technological terms such as server, web browser and the different size terms used for a variety of media. We also watched a series called "Growing Up Online" by FRONTLINE that explained the impact of technology on today's youth. Many kids that grew up using the internet live hidden lives online that can often lead to problems such as online bullying. Teachers are also concerned with the amount of time their students spend online. "We almost have to be entertainers. They consume so much media. We have to cut through that cloud of information around them, cut through that media, and capture their attention," social studies teacher Steve Maher explained to FRONTLINE. I found this lesson very informative because I grew up as part of the online generation, but I see it being used more and more by my younger siblings.

Web technology definetly relates to advertising because the field is moving more towards online media. Advertising follows its consumers, and since the most targeted market is the younger generation, advertisers are following them online. Many companies set up web sites, advertise on social networking sites and produce online commercials to specifically target the audience that spends more time online than watching tv, reading the newspaper or listening to the radio. I think it is important for me as an advertising student to learn history of technology and how it is evoloving in order to apply it to my field.

I chose an article on Wikipedia about Google to explain the power of internet technology. Google transformed the way we search for things on the internet and has continued developments that constantly revolutionize internet technology. This article is relevant to this lesson because Google is a huge part of the internet and I think it is important to know about how they were created as well as their plans for the future, as they may impact they way we use the internet.

Week 2- Educational Technolgy

In this week's lesson we were introduced to technology and how it is being used to teach in today's society. While we now relate technology to the internet, in the past other mediums of technology were used. For example, I remember listening to audio tapes and using overhead projectors when I was in elementary school. While we now use more advanced forms of technology, it is important to note that technology has been used to assist educators for many years. A great example of today's educational technology is this very course. We meet in the lab once a week, and the other two hours are to be completed online. We have presentations to watch, forums to post and interact, and this blog to keep up with. This is very different from other classes because there is such a heavy reliance on technology.

Even though educational technology doesn't directly apply to advertising, I think it is still relevant because technology is becoming an everyday part of society as a whole. The skills that we learn in this class can be used in advertising in many ways. For example, while forum posts can be used to interact and teach by ordinary people, market researchers can view them to gain insight into their consumer's minds. Photoshop is also a great skill needed by advertisers who will create visual art. Even though the education field and the advertising field use technology in different ways, I think they relate to each other because the same skills are needed, it is just a matter of how you apply the technology.

I found a video on Youtube that was created to teach kids the proper way to wash their hands.

This is an example of educational technology because someone had to create a video, put it together with kids in mind, and post it on the internet for adults everywhere to have access to a fun, informative video. Instead of a chart or poster to teach kids, this video uses a cartoon to exemplify the correct way to sanitize your hands. It also uses a catchy song that will keep the children's attention and get them excited about what they are learning. I think this is a great exmaple of educational technology because the kids can learn from something they also find entertaining. Because germs help spread the flu, I'm sure this video is being used all over the country to explain to kids the proper way to wash thier hands.

Ethics & Technology

This past week we discussed copyright law and ethical issues in technology. I found this video on youtube that explains some terms about information technology issues such as phishing, virus, and hacker. However, I feel that our generation grew up knowing these terms and it's just something we watch out for on a normal basis because we spend so much time online. The video shows pictures of "good people" and asks where they all went, implying that our society is now comprised of only unethical people. I think there are still good people in this world, but the internet just makes it easier for the bad ones to commit these crimes.